The Regina Police Service (RPS) shared some reassuring statistics Tuesday, reporting that the number of pursuits and stolen vehicles in the city have been steadily decreasing. From 2023 to 2024, RPS saw a 79 per cent decrease in the number of pursuits officers were involved in – falling from 14 to just three. 2024 saw 101 incidents of suspects attempting to evade police. This marked a decrease of 32 per cent from the 148 reported in 2023. The number of similar incidents keep decreasing thanks to several factors – most visibly the addition of the service’s aerial support unit. Other factors include increased training and emphasis on de-escalation. Over the course of the year, officers deployed tire deflation devices a total of 19 times. Similarly, the number of vehicles stolen in the city has been steadily decreasing over the past several years. In 2021, 914 thefts were reported – while the total fell to just 565 in 2024. Mid-year reportAs part of its mid-year reporting schedule, RPS reviewed crime statistics over the past decade. So far in 2025, RPS have recorded 8,432 crimes – representing a 15 per cent decline from last year and a 17 per cent decrease compared to 2016. Not all offences have fallen in number. Violent crimes within the city have decreased 15 per cent from 2024 – but have increased 18 per cent compared to a decade ago. The number of homicide victims has varied over the past 10 years – peaking midway through 2020 with eight victims before falling to three victims in both 2023 and 2024. The first half of 2025 saw five people die as a result of homicide. Sexual assaults are also trending upwards for the city with 120 reported so far in 2025 – an increase from the average of 95 from 2016-2024. In terms of arsons, the number of purposely lit fires in the first half of 2025 more than doubled the 10-year average of 129 incidents. Increases across all categories of arson were noted, with bin fires accounting for 54 per cent. “Overall, total crime continues to trend downward, although patterns vary by category,” acting RPS Chief Lorilee Davies said during the meeting. “While there are positive developments, our data indicates that there are still areas requiring ongoing attention.”
|
